I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 127 - Section (3)

"So… you're saying I’m your partner?"

Selena looked puzzled.

Even through the haze of alcohol clouding her crimson eyes, she blinked in disbelief.

Yet, her reaction made it clear—she was taken aback.

"Would you do me the honor, Master?"

I nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

If anything, I returned the question with blatant shamelessness.

Perhaps it was because I had caught her off guard.

She even set aside the bottle she had been drinking from and straightened her posture, properly facing me.

Her long violet hair shimmered faintly under the light, and her red eyes held a murky glow.

Her luscious lips remained slightly parted in silence.

"……"

What kind of absurdity is this boy planning now?

Her stare carried more suspicion than anything else.

The way her gaze prodded at me made my back prickle, but I maintained my composure, feigning nonchalance.

Finally, with a voice burdened by both fatigue and intoxication, she muttered,

"…Do you even understand what it means to ask someone to be your partner?"

"If you’re referring to the superstition tied to the ball, then yes."

"That makes it even more baffling."

"I asked you precisely because I understand it."

I had already heard about the Gallimard Ball’s infamous superstition.

It had been a hot topic among the students lately.

A rather cliche belief—that if an unwed man and woman danced together, their love would be fulfilled.

Well… I wasn’t the type to care about superstitions.

‘Because they’re just kids.’

Lately, more and more eyes had been on me.

Maybe it was because I had just defeated a professor in a duel.

Either way, attention was already on me, and if I carelessly chose a partner now, I risked getting caught up in some ridiculous scandal.

To teenagers at their peak, nothing made for better gossip than a love story.

This was a preventative measure.

‘A first should be precious.’

That went for them as well.

The protagonist and her companions—girls I had grown close to.

I didn’t want them dragged into some messy romantic entanglement because of me.

Someday, when this world reached its conclusion, they would go on to build their own lives.

I didn’t want this memory to linger as something unpleasant.

That was why I had chosen Selena.

‘She can’t possibly be inexperienced.’

She was an adult—a woman in her thirties.

She had lived long enough, carried a decadent allure, and her figure was… well, overwhelming in its own way.

It was obvious she had experience.

And that was the key.

The superstition’s requirement was that both participants had to be pure—an unmarried man and an unwed maiden.

In other words, if even one of them wasn’t, the superstition would be rendered meaningless.

It was a foolproof way to sidestep any forced romantic narratives.

"Fufu."

I smiled at my own perfect plan.

Meanwhile, Selena still seemed to be deliberating.

Her pupils wavered slightly—a rare reaction.

Was something wrong?

I waited patiently for her response, but instead of answering, she spoke as if seeking confirmation.

Her fingertips tapped rhythmically against the desk, betraying her internal conflict.

"If you understand the meaning behind it and still chose me… I don’t know how I’m supposed to take that."

"Just take it as it is."

=It’s simply to avoid unnecessary gossip.

"There are plenty of other young ladies around you. Wouldn’t it be better to ask one of them?"

"It has to be you."

=Because you’re the only one who can nullify the superstition.

"……"

The more we talked, the more uncomfortable she looked.

It was almost a sacred response.

She was always so cold and detached, yet here she was, visibly shaken.

It was refreshing in a way.

Though, it was probably more accurate to say she felt burdened by this situation.

With a sigh, she muttered,

"…To be frank, this isn’t exactly an enticing offer."

"I don’t want you to feel pressured."

"That’s impossible."

"I would never force you, of course. I just thought it would make me happy to attend the ball with you."

=If you refuse, there’s nothing I can do… but it’s a shame, since it was a solid plan.

"Attending with someone my age… I don’t think it’s appropriate. You wouldn’t even enjoy it."

"You don’t need to worry about that."

A self-deprecating remark.

I firmly shook my head and met her gaze with a soft smile.

"The fact that you’re with me is what matters most."

"……"

Even as I made the offer, I felt a twinge of guilt.

Was it really okay to use my mentor to escape an awkward situation?

A deeply ingrained sense of propriety wavered within me, but given the circumstances, it was a necessary choice.

Besides, this was a good chance to close the distance between us.

Even if it wouldn’t be easy.

Selena was a solitary person.

No matter how much goodwill someone showed her, she never allowed them past a certain boundary.

Among all the people around me, she had the thickest emotional walls.

A wild beast that refused to be tamed.

And perhaps that was why I wanted to get closer.

‘As long as you’re by my side, that’s enough.’

A ball. A partner.

A simple agreement, yet one that naturally led to a deeper connection.

It was the perfect opportunity to bridge the psychological gap between us.

Besides, the academy was entering a turbulent period.

Soon, there would be an attack—a disaster.

Having solidified ties with the faculty in advance would no doubt prove useful in handling the crisis effectively.

This was a stepping stone to gaining more influence within the academy.

I smiled leisurely.

"Just one evening won’t hurt, will it?"

"……"

"I won’t ask for much. Just… spend a night indulging your disciple."

"…If you put it that way, I suppose I have no reason to refuse."

"I’ll take that as a yes."

"…You’re impossible to predict, Judas."

"Thank you."

A satisfying answer.

I nodded, relieved that I had cleared this hurdle.

At least now, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting tangled in unnecessary rumors.

"I’ll be looking forward to that night."

The plan was a success.

What I hadn’t accounted for—

Was that teenagers could be absolute menaces.

Who would have guessed they’d spin rumors about a student and his mentor?

In the end, dealing with gossip would become an unavoidable headache.

But for now, unaware of the impending storm, I enjoyed my brief moment of peace.

Winter had arrived.

Scratch, scratch.

The sound of a pen scratching against paper.

A methodical rhythm followed my moving hand.

"Mm-hmm."

With two days left until the ball,

Even with a holiday right around the corner, the workload wasn’t getting any lighter.

If anything, it had increased, since I needed to clear my schedule in advance.

So, in an effort to help Selena, I had been frequenting her research lab more than usual.

After all, she had agreed to my request—I owed her at least this much.

It was technically my job anyway.

‘She really is drowning in work.’

The sheer volume of documents stacked before me was daunting.

Since it was just the two of us handling everything, all the paperwork had to be processed by our hands alone.

Even as I continued working, I couldn’t help but wonder—

For someone with a lab this spacious, why hasn’t she taken on an assistant?

I idly twirled my pen and asked,

"Wouldn’t it be easier if you had more help?"

"Hmm."

A detached response.

Across from me sat a woman with violet hair, gripping both a pen and a familiar bottle of liquor.

She answered mechanically, without any real engagement.

It wasn’t a casual conversation—it was purely factual.

"I’ve always worked alone."

"Am I your first assistant?"

"You are. I’ve had errand-runners before, but you’re the first to hold the title of chief assistant."

"Why didn’t you take one on before?"

"Because I don’t like people."

There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in her voice.

I let out an amused chuckle but pressed on with my lingering curiosity.

"Then why did you accept me?"

"A talent worthy of history… The benefit of accepting outweighed the inconvenience of my personal feelings."

"A truly calculated response."

"I am an adult, after all."

"And do you still feel the same way?"

"…It’s difficult to say I like it. But I wouldn’t say I dislike it either."

"That’s good enough for me."

"Is that so?"

An indifferent drunkard.

As if her throat had grown dry, she tilted her bottle and took a long drink.

With a teasing edge, I asked,

"Would you mind sharing a little with me?"

"I refuse."

"Oh my."

"Alcohol is harmful to life. Especially for children."

"Then why do you cling to it?"

"To forget."

"Forget what?"

"Everything."

Her gaze clouded over.

She traced a delicate finger along the bottle, then, in a voice as faint as a dying flame, murmured,

"For example… maybe to forget my shame."

"What could possibly shame you?"

"The fact that I drink in the first place."

"That’s a strange thing to say. You could simply stop."

"It’s because I can’t stop that I am an adult. Even when we recognize our mistakes, we’re already too old to change."

"……"

Her eyes flickered from the bottle to me, then to her own hands.

Slowly, she closed them, as if blocking out the world.

Silence stretched between us.

A slight tremor in her shoulders revealed her wandering thoughts.

Was she reminiscing?

Or perhaps reflecting on her own words?

Even knowing she was in the wrong, she had already convinced herself that it was too late to turn back.

Like a train hurtling forward, unable to change tracks.

Adults, drowning in their regrets, claiming they were helpless to stop—

Tilting back their bottles in search of oblivion.

Was it resentment?

Regret?

Guilt?

Whatever it was, the expression on her face was anything but pleasant.

I recognized it all too well.

‘So it is like that.’

It was a look I had seen before.

A reflection of my own past.

With a wry smile, I offered,

"If you ever need to talk, I’ll listen."

"There’s no need. There’s nothing wrong."

Her crimson eyes lifted once more.

But beneath their dull surface, a thick fog remained.

Almost as if she were trying to convince herself.

"Yes… nothing at all."

And with that, the conversation ended.

***

Two days later.

The evening of the ball arrived with the setting sun.

Before the dazzlingly decorated ballroom, the snake and the drunkard stood side by side.

Both were dressed impeccably for the occasion.

"You look lovely."

Especially her.

Gone was her usual plain attire—she now wore an elegant gown that commanded the room’s attention.

Her striking figure, accentuated by the dress, was utterly captivating.

In every sense, she radiated an aura of mature allure.

The boy extended a hand toward the woman.

"Shall we?"

"Very well."

Their hands met, fingertips grazing briefly before settling into place.

After a lingering glance at one another, master and disciple stepped forward together, entering the ballroom.

The beginning of a short yet beautiful night.

***

Inside the ballroom, as the two made their entrance, several pairs of eyes trailed after them.

Familiar faces.

"Wow…! You two look amazing together!"

"Is now really the time to be admiring them?"

"Mm. You look great."

"I know, right? I never expected lighter colors to suit him so well."

"……"

Five girls stood together, each wearing a different expression.

Each carrying different thoughts.

And so, the curtain rose on the night of the ball.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]